Jeremy Rutherford: I just got back home after watching both practices at the Pro Orientation camp. Good stuff. Can't wait till Saturday's scrimmage game.

Ryan: Hey JR,

Where will Sergei Andronov play this season? With him being a couple years older than the typical draft pick, is it possible he plays in Peoria? What was it about Andronov that made the Blues ignore the "Russian Factor"? Also, do you happen to know why he couldn't make it to Orientation Camp?

Jeremy Rutherford:
Androvov, I'm told, will continue to play in Russia. I don't have any information yet that he'll be in Peoria. Jarmo Kekalainen was real high on Andronov before the draft. JD checked with a Russian scout he knows who said that Andonov had good character. So while the Blues have had some trouble with the Russian players, they felt safe picking Andronov.

Erik: JR, I'm hoping you can help me out here. Lets say Pietrangelo isn't quite NHL ready but the Blues don't want to sent him back to the OHL because they feel his game won't progress there. Is it at all possible his junior team, the Niagra IceDogs, relinquish his rights and he would then be able to play in the AHL? Is that even possible? Thanks for taking my question.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I'm not completely sure, but I don't think that's possible. The rules are in place to protect the junior teams, and I'm sure other junior teams would frown on Niagra for taking that course, if it were even possible.

Ryan: On a scale of 0-100, where would you put the likelihood of the Blues signing a veteran defender like Zubov, Schneider or someone else? If fairly likely, who would be your guess at who they sign?

Jeremy Rutherford:
The Blues will continue to look for a veteran defenseman, and that search will intensify if the team learns that Eric Brewer will not be ready to play in September. That is a VERY real possibility. There are some within the Blues' organization that are hearing behind the scenes that Brewer's return is IFFY at best. The defense is just too young without Brewer and McKee, so the Blues will have to seek out an experienced defenseman.

Mike: Yo JR! How's the summer going? How's the little one?

Why isn't big Benny Bishop in camp? It seems like he always misses these things even though he lives down the street. What gives?

Jeremy Rutherford:
I asked that question today and JD said they only need four goalies at the camp. I don't get it. To me, Ben Bishop would benefit from attending the camp. T.J. Oshie is in attendance . . . Erik Johnson is in attendance. The Blues have a goalie by the name of Keith Kincaid participating in this camp. He plays for the Bandits. You can't tell me that the Blues are better off having Keith Kincaid in this camp over Ben Bishop.